She grips my shirt. “She’s going to come for him, Takhiss. She’s going to use the courts.”
“Let her try,” I growl. “I’ll burn the courts down before I let them touch him.”
But even as I say it, I know Autrua won’t use fire. She’ll use paper. And that is the one weapon I don’t know how to fight.
I pull back, looking down at her.
“I need to go,” I say.
She blinks, wiping her eyes. “Where? To pick up Vex?”
“No. He’s safe at school for another hour.” I turn toward the door, grabbing my jacket. “I’m going to the Embassy.”
“Takhiss, no!” She grabs my arm. “You can’t just walk in there.”
“I’m not going to wait for a summons,” I say, my voice flat and cold. “I’m going to look her in the eye. I need to know exactly what war we’re fighting.”
“Come back,” she whispers. “Promise me you’ll come back without cuffs on.”
I lean down and kiss her forehead. It’s a promise and a goodbye, just in case.
“I’ll come back,” I say.
I walk out the door.
My son.
And the galaxy wants to take him from me.
Over my dead body.
CHAPTER 37
ELLA
The garage door is still swinging when I realize I can’t breathe.
I just stand there, watching the dust drift in the slant of light, heart rattling around like it’s trying to escape my ribs. The smell of burned circuits and grease clings to me.
He’s gone.
And I let him go.
I sink down on the nearest stool, elbows on my knees, palms pressed to my face. My fingers smell like oil and fear.
He looked so calm when he left. That’s what scares me. Takhiss in a rage is dangerous. Takhiss in a cold, calculated silence is lethal.
I look around at the mess of wires and tools we were working on just an hour ago. Takhiss’s handprint is dented into the door panel where he slammed it earlier. The metal is twisted in the shape of his claws.
My throat burns.
He’s going to the Embassy. He’s going to walk right into Autrua’s den and demand answers. And if she pushes him—if she threatens Vex to his face—I don’t know if he’ll walk out.
I check my compad. Nothing.
I check the news feeds. Nothing yet. No reports of violence at the Coalition Embassy. No breaking news about a rogue soldier.
That’s good. Silence is good.
